defining and seeking passion

-- Quote of the Day -- 

“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand – and melting like a snowflake.” 

~ Marie Beyon Rey

Defining and Seeking Out Passion

Passion, as defined in the dictionary, refers to a powerful or compelling emotional feeling similar to desire, amorous love, and ardor. Passion can also go beyond the emotion, and into the intellectual passion of research, study, science, and discovery. No matter what the studies and experts might tell us – passion, or what we enjoy to do, is a highly tuned individual response, it can mean something different to any one person, and can change throughout our lifetime.

Business studies have shown us that people will have higher performance, better efficiency, less sick days and are happier at work – if they are doing what they enjoy. At the same time if we become too involved in our passions we can actually damage our relationships with others and our own health as well. The trick is to find the balance between living our passions and having a healthy social and physical life as well.

Some people have difficulty finding out what their passion is in life – and there are some helpful tools to help them identify this. Personality assessment tools are fantastic for helping people realize what is important to them, what they enjoy, activities they like to do – and what they don’t like to do as well. Alternatively we can look at things around us that appeal to our soul, that really tug at our emotions. Something that we are inclined to put more energy in than is actually required, that is our passion.

So few of us understand the value our daily actions have and the impact we can make on the world. In fact studies show that a large percentage of the population is depressed and consumed with feelings of inadequacy, 66% of us would become more proactive if we knew our actions had a measurable impact. Following our passions can have a real and measurable ripple effect, creating an avenue for us to act as an agent of positive change. Whether we realize it or not, people are watching us – our children, spouse, neighbors and co-workers – so simply by doing, we can influence others. Every encounter we have is a chance to create a positive ripple that will carry on to create unknown wonders.

Sometimes we just have to break away from the routines of the day and try something new in order to discover our passions. Psychologists have long known that simply performing one small proactive step will aid in defining a positive outlook on life and will inspire further participation from the individual.

For myself, the discovery of my passion didn’t happen overnight. I knew that I enjoyed writing, that I was able to use it as a healing tool personally, but when I embarked on a writing career I found a way to feel like I was being that agent for positive change with the topics I focused on. Later on, as I evolved into an author and then a radio host and managed a blog, I found that I could expand this impact to a wider audience. This concept that my life is valuable, that I can play a role in making the world a better place, became my passion. Writing, hosting the radio show, managing the blog, and other activities in my daily grind are just tools that help me reach for that passion.

I would like to encourage our readers today to spend time learning about themselves, who they are, what they enjoy and make the steps to get you closer to living your passions every day. I guarantee that you will feel so much more empowered, joyful, inspired and creative then you thought possible.

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at: http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!